The following computer-generated description may contain errors and does not represent the quality of the book:To Sir Walter Scott the proprietors and himself are indebted for the interesting letter explanatory of the picture of his family, with an engraving of which, through the liberality of its possessor Sir Adam Ferguson, and the painter Mr. Wilkie, they have been enabled to enrich the Work. Noris it too much to expect that if every other recommendation were wanting, that plate, and still more the description by which it is accompanied would prove irresistible attractions to the world; for who can be indifferent to so pleasing a memorial of a writer to whose merits England, Europe, nay, the whok civilized world, has offered its homage and its praise. Conspicuous as that letter is among the literary beauties of these sheets, and to it may be attributed an interest as unfading as the reputation of its writer almost all the popular authors of the day have contributed one or more scintillations of their genius; and it is with feelings of pride, admiration, and gratitude, that the Editor and Proprietors offer their warmest acknowledgments to John Gibson Lockhart, Esq., Mrs. Hemans, Sir Egerton Brydges, Bart.; Sir Thomas Elmsley Croft, Bart.; the Rev. Blanco White; Barry Cornwall; A few stanzas of the Ballad by Mr. Lockhart were printed ia the Janus for 1826. It is so considerably improved aud enlarged, the translation being now complete, as to assume a new character.